Diamond Certified Category Report

Marin County – Janitorial Services

No More Dirt, Inc. provides commercial janitorial services for all types of facilities throughout the Bay Area. As a certified Bay Area Green Business, the company uses environmentally-friendly cleaning methods and products, including those certified by Green Seal. No More…
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How To Choose

Look for Experienced Janitorial Companies in Marin County

Commercial office cleaning isn’t as easy as it may look on the surface. In fact, there are many things to consider when hiring a janitorial cleaning company, including whether the commercial custodial company can fit your requirements for timing, services, security and experience.

So finding the right Marin County janitorial service to maintain and clean your office space might take more work than you’d expect.

That’s because various offices and businesses have different needs and require different cleaning services. You’ll need to ensure that the janitorial service you hire can provide all of the cleaning services and office maintenance tasks you want to be part of your custodial cleaning package.

Your business or office building is an important asset, and you need to hire a trustworthy commercial cleaning service to protect your facilities and keep them looking their best for your clients and employees.

But how do find good janitorial services in Marin County that serve San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, San Anselmo, Larkspur and your area?

The following articles will get you started. They highlight special items to keep in mind, questions you can ask and precautions to take to protect yourself and your interests.

Decide Between National Janitorial Franchises and Independent Janitorial ServicesThe first thing you will likely need to consider is whether you want to hire a national janitorial franchise or an independent janitorial cleaning company. Both have pros and cons, so it’s important to know the difference.

Some of the points to know are listed below:

Independent Office Cleaning ServicesIndependent janitorial providers that serve San Rafael, Novato, Larkspur, San Anselmo, Mill Valley, Tiburon, Sausalito, Fairfax, Ross and other areas can often customize their services to fit their customers’ needs, while some janitorial franchises may have to stick to national franchise standards.

Independent janitorial firms can be cheaper than national franchises. This is because franchises have to pay fees to carry the franchise name, which can make their overhead larger and force them to charge more for their services.

Independent janitors can choose the cleaning materials and equipment they use. This may allow them to be more flexible to customer requests for green janitorial supplies, unscented cleaning products, recycled products or other specialty commercial cleaning materials.

Local janitors may also be able to be more flexible with scheduling and last-minute requests. However, this depends on the company. If the independent commercial cleaning company is a small one with limited staff, they may have a harder time making last-minute changes.

National Janitorial FranchisesJanitorial franchises often require franchise branches to use specific janitorial equipment, cleaning solutions and supplies as outlined by the corporate headquarters. This can be a good thing for businesses that want continuity. However, these franchises may not be as flexible to client requests because they are contractually obligated to use the products their parent company requires.

Larger franchises may be able to offer additional services that small companies can’t. This may include pest control, carpet cleaning, exterior window washing for multi-level buildings, industrial cleaning services, building repair services or even dayporter services for daytime cleaning and maintenance.

Franchise janitorial services also may have more clearly outlined training and cleaning methods. They also may have more experienced cleaning staff.

National franchises may have more staff available, so they may be able to schedule additional services or cleaning staff depending on your needs.

Plan a Walk Through with Marin County Janitorial CompaniesOffice cleaning tasks may seem straightforward, but you’ll want to set aside some time to walk through your office building with the janitorial service providers you’re considering. This initial walk-through is one of the most important steps in choosing the right janitors or custodians for your business.

A walk-through will give you a chance to show the facilities to each candidate, answer their questions and be clear about your expectations. This can help minimize misunderstandings and can help you get more accurate bids with which to choose your janitorial services provider.

You’ll also have an opportunity to talk with a company representative in person and begin developing a rapport. This janitorial service representative should be interested in your needs and wants, and should be willing and able to answer any questions you might have about their company’s services and methods.

You may find that Marin County custodial services that are willing to invest time in visiting your facility, discussing your wishes and concerns, and providing a detailed proposal for office cleaning services are those who will provide better customer service and overall quality in cleaning services.

Be wary if a local janitorial service you’re considering won’t do a walk-through and instead prefers to base their estimate solely on square footage. This can be a problem because custodial service estimates that are based on square footage alone can’t take into account the age and condition of your building, the layout of the building, the number of restrooms, the number of offices and density of office space or the types of supplies needed.

Vague bids may be less reliable than detailed bids based on your building and specific commercial cleaning needs. If custodial services underbid the work, they may end up doing a less thorough job than you’d expected or they may cut corners to save money to make up for the lower bid. You may also find out too late that they can’t provide all of the janitorial services or the value you were hoping for.

Review Bids from Several Marin County Janitorial CompaniesMake sure you get detailed cleaning bids from each of the custodial companies you’re considering to ensure that each of the janitorial companies are bidding for the same job and offer the same value.

For instance, rather than generic terms, such as “office cleaning,” ask that the office janitorial companies provide detailed descriptions, such as “cubicle and desk cleaning services including vacuuming, dusting, cleaning glass, emptying trash cans and general tidying.”

This will allow you to fairly compare bids and see which office cleaning company offers the best value.

You are the customer. If your goal is to choose a janitorial service that will deliver high customer satisfaction and quality, you’ll feel confident in choosing a Diamond Certified janitorial company. Each has been rated Highest in Quality in the most accurate ratings process anywhere. And you’re always backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee. Here’s why the Diamond Certified ratings and certification process will help you find a top-rated janitor service and is unparalleled in its accuracy, rigor and usefulness:

1) Accuracy: All research is performed by live telephone interviews that verify only real customers are surveyed, so you’ll never be fooled by fake reviews.

2) Statistical Reliability: A large random sample of past customers is surveyed on an ongoing basis so the research results you see truly reflect a Diamond Certified company’s top-rated status.

3) Full Disclosure: By clicking the name of a company above you’ll see the exact rating results in charts and read verbatim survey responses as well as researched articles on each qualified company.

4) Guaranteed: Your purchase is backed up with mediation and the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee, so you can choose with confidence.

Click on the name of a Diamond Certified company above to read ratings results, researched articles and verbatim customer survey responses to help you make an informed decision.

More than 200,000 customers of local companies have been interviewed in live telephone calls, and only companies that score Highest in Quality in customer satisfaction–a 90+ on a 100 scale–as well as pass all of the credential-based ratings earn Diamond Certified. By requiring such a high score to qualify, the Diamond Certified program eliminates mediocre and poorly performing companies. Read detailed information about the ratings and certification process.

Dain Vogel is an account manager at No More Dirt, Inc., a Diamond Certified company. He can be reached at (415) 484-5907 or by email.

Dain Vogel

diamond certified contributor profile and expert article

Dain Vogel: A Clean Opportunity

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

SAN FRANCISCO — Any employee likes having a good boss, but Dain Vogel really lucked out when he got a chance to work for his longtime mentor. “After six years working as an elementary school teacher, I was looking for a career change,” he recounts. “About that time, I came upon a job opportunity with No More Dirt. I’ve known the owner, Nick Mettler, for a long time. Nick has always been a bit of a mentor to me—I’ve often gone to him for advice and he has helped guide me along my path. So, naturally, when I got a chance to work for him, I jumped at it.”

Today, as an account manager with No More Dirt, Inc., Dain says his favorite part of his job is the challenge of solving his clients’ janitorial problems. “Often, when we get a new client, they’re expecting us to solve certain issues for them. I enjoy taking on that challenge and working with clients to find solutions for their janitorial needs.”

A resident of San Francisco (where he lives with his wife, Casey), Dain spends his time outside of work on a variety of active pastimes. “I like going on walks with my wife, playing basketball, hanging out with friends and watching sports,” he lists. “Living in San Francisco, there are plenty of opportunities for fun as well, with great restaurants, music, sports venues, and other places to discover and explore.”

In regard to his professional career, Dain espouses the importance of ongoing improvement. “One thing I really appreciate about working at No More Dirt is we’re constantly looking to improve and build on our success,” he explains. “It’s easy for a company to maintain a certain status quo, but if you’re not growing and staying inspired, you’re going to get stagnant. That’s why we’re always thinking of new ways to improve our service. I think that’s a big reason our clients are so loyal—they can see how much we care about quality and how hard we work to keep them satisfied.”

When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Dain gives a two-fold answer. “For one, I’d do some traveling and spend time abroad with my family. Secondly, I’d do some volunteering, whether helping disadvantaged kids in schools or working with the homeless.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s your favorite TV show?
A: “The Wire.”

Q: Have you ever met anyone famous?
A: Steve Young.

Q: If you could pick up a new skill immediately, what would it be?
A: Playing the guitar.

Q: What kind of music do you like?
A: All sorts, but mainly ’80s music.

Q: Do you collect anything?
A: I collect newspaper clippings when local sports teams have big victories and other milestones.

The Importance of Dispenser Keys in Commercial Spaces

By Dain Vogel of {BR} No More Dirt, Inc.

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SAN FRANCISCO — If you’re a business owner moving into a new commercial space, the first thing you’ll likely ask for is a key to the front door. However, there’s another type of key that’s important in commercial properties yet often forgotten:… Read more

Expert Video Tip

Video: The Importance of Extra Keys

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Complete Video Transcription:

SAN FRANCISCO — Host, Sarah Rutan: Whether for the bathroom or a paper towel dispenser, a business can never have enough keys. Today we’re in San Francisco with…
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SELECTED PHOTOS FROM THESE TOP RATED COMPANIES

No More Dirt, Inc.

No More Dirt, Inc.

No More Dirt, Inc.

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No More Dirt, Inc.

No More Dirt, Inc.

No More Dirt’s employees are friendly and professional.

No More Dirt, Inc.

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INDUSTRY INFORMATION AND RESEARCHED ARTICLES BY THE DIAMOND CERTIFIED RESOURCE

The following consumer agencies and professional associations are those that deal with janitorial services and custodial services in your area. They may able to provide you with more information about commercial cleaning services near you.

Are there any job specifics that I or the custodians will need to take into account when planning and coordinating the custodial service? (i.e. work schedules, office security, shared office space, which areas need to be cleaned and when, etc.)

What qualities and characteristics do I want from a Marin County janitorial company? (These may include timeliness, honesty, good communication skills, knowledge base, experience and fast follow-up or emergency cleaning services.)

What To Ask In Person

In-Person Interviews with Commercial Office Cleaning Services in Marin County

Now that you’ve talked with some janitorial firms on the phone, you will probably have narrowed down your list to a few stand-out office cleaning companies.

This is the time to invite a few of the best commercial cleaning firms to see your office—whether it’s in San Rafael, Novato, Larkspur, San Anselmo, Mill Valley, Fairfax or another area—and bid to be your janitorial service provider.

The questions below are some you should ask when meeting with the Marin County janitorial company representative. Take notes of their answers, their tone and any additional information you may want to incorporate into your decision-making process.

How does your janitorial company handle complaints or questions from customers?(Remember: local branches of national office cleaning chains may not be able to make decisions at the local level, so you may have to wait for a reply from the national office if you have a complaint or problem.)

Will your office cleaning company provide material safety data sheets (MSDS) information for the cleaning products they use for office cleaning? (You are required by OSHA to have MSDS information for all chemicals and cleaning products used in and around your commercial office facilities.)

Will you accompany me on a walk-through to determine the cost of our janitorial cleaning services? Or do you have a set charge based on office size and number of visits?

Will you provide emergency janitorial cleaning services or accommodate us for office cleaning services that are in addition to our regular office cleaning schedule?

Will our company have to sign a long-term contract for janitorial services? Or do you offer monthly or short-term contracts for office cleaning?

Do you have references I can from companies similar to mine in size and scope?(Keep in mind that if you’re hiring a local janitorial company that’s part of a janitorial franchise, the company may give you references that other franchise companies have worked for. Be sure to ask specifically for the names of references that Marin County office cleaning service has done work for.)

What To Ask References

Questions to Ask Marin County Commercial Janitorial Company References

It’s best to hire a Diamond Certified janitorial firms in Marin County because all certified janitorial services have passed an in-depth ratings process that most other commercial cleaning services can’t pass.

If you want quality from a custodian firm in Marin County, you should know that your odds are greater when choosing a Diamond Certified company. Diamond Certified reports are available online for all certified companies. And you’ll never be fooled by fake reviews, because all research is performed in live telephone interviews of actual customers.

If you can’t find a Diamond Certified janitorial service within reach, you’ll have to do some research on your own. For starters, it’s wise to call some references provided by your local janitors. Keep in mind, though, that references provided by the janitorial cleaning companies you’re considering are not equal in value to the large random sample of customers surveyed during the Diamond Certified ratings process.

If you do call references, ask for a list of the office cleaning company’s 10 most recent/current customers from your area of Marin County. Also request contact information for long-time clients and others who receive the same type of services (office building cleaning, medical building cleaning, school cleaning, office park cleaning, dayporter services, etc.) that you are considering. This will help avoid the custodial services giving you the names of only customers they know were satisfied.

Some questions you may want to ask include:

How long have you been using this Marin County janitorial service?

What do you like best about this commercial cleaning company? What is your least favorite part about this custodial cleaning firm?

Did the custodial service company representative explain to you the status of the work or any problems with the janitorial services?

Did they complete the work on time?

Were there unexpected costs associated with the commercial janitorial services? If so, what were they for and were they avoidable?

Did the Marin County janitorial service business charge extra to travel to your office if it’s located live in a smaller town such as Woodacre, Sleepy Hollow, Black Point, Nicasio, Point Reyes Station, Lagunitas, Inverness, Forest Knolls or Tomales?

Would you recommend this janitorial service to other business owners?

Are you satisfied with the office cleaning services from _(Marin County janitorial company name)_?

Review Your Options

Final Considerations Before Hiring a Custodial Cleaning Service

The Diamond Certified symbol has been awarded to companies that scored Highest in Quality in an accurate ratings process.

After interviewing local commercial cleaning firms and talking to current customers of custodial services in Marin County, you should be able to select a local business cleaning company that meets your needs in terms of types of janitorial services, professional attributes and reliability.

Review the notes you took while talking with local janitorial service providers and choose the best custodial company for you in San Rafael, Tiburon, Sausalito, Novato, Mill Valley, Fairfax, Ross, Larkspur, San Anselmo or your area.

The following questions may help you refine your choices.

Is there a commercial cleaning company on your list that best meets your needs for janitorial services, janitorial supplies and any specific office cleaning requirements you have?

Are the Marin County janitorial companies knowledgeable about the janitorial cleaning services you need?

Can they easily explain to you which janitorial products best fit your needs?

Is the janitorial company sensitive to your budget and schedule?

Can the custodians give you accurate bids and timelines for office cleaning services?

How To Work With

Encourage the Best Commercial Cleaning Services to Be Your Janitorial Service

When hiring Marin County commercial cleaning companies, it may be hard to remember that many local commercial cleaning companies also have high standards for the type of customers for whom they provide office cleaning.

Their time and resources are often limited to a certain number of customers, so they can be choosy about with whom they do business. You can increase your odds of attracting and hiring the best commercial cleaning services in San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, San Anselmo and beyond by being the type of customer for whom they want to work.

Many janitorial cleaning companies in Marin County want clients that:

Are looking for good value in office cleaning, not just cheap janitorial services. Many people start their discussion with janitorial contractors by asking about price. However, you can show your interest in quality office cleaning services by asking questions about janitorial supplies, cleaning methods, availability, experience and overall value rather than price alone.

Be upfront with the janitorial companies if you’re accepting multiple bids for commercial cleaning services. But only shop among local janitorial companies that offer quality work and don’t seek more than three or five bids. Canvassing dozens of office cleaning companies shows that you’re only looking for cheap janitorial services, and office cleaning companies that provide the best quality work may not be able to compete with low-cost janitorial services that don’t provide insurance and fair wages to their employees.

Tell your janitorial firm exactly what commercial cleaning services you require, how often you expect them and any specific requests or expectations that you have. This will allow them to give you the most accurate bids and gives them insight into exactly what you want. If they can’t provide what you need or want, it’s better to find out before you’ve wasted time thoroughly interviewing a janitorial service in Marin County that can’t meet your needs.

Interview and choose among local janitorial cleaning companies in Marin County and the local area. Most custodial companies prefer to work within a smaller radius, as this allows them to provide faster service and more reliable office cleaning. It can also mean they’ll be able to get to you in a hurry if you require emergency office cleaning or unscheduled janitorial services.

Carefully consider the length of the contract and the terms to dissolve it. You don’t want to be tied to a specific company for a long time if you aren’t happy with the janitorial services you’re receiving. For this reason, some commercial cleaning firms offer test periods or will allow you to contract on a week-to-week basis or enter into a month-long contract for the first month of your service.

Discuss these options with your janitorial service representative if this is important to you.

Whatever you finally decide, your commercial cleaning contract should include specific details about the type and scope of office cleaning required, what janitorial supplies and office cleaning products are to be used, payment terms, frequency of office cleaning, any guarantees on the work and other specific items you and the janitorial company representative agreed upon.

This contract should protect you and your Marin County janitor company, and it should equally represent both of your interests. Contracts are legally binding and for this reason, you should completely read and understand all of the information in the contract. Never sign a blank or incomplete contract, or one that you don’t fully understand.

Feel free to write in any verbal agreements or special requests you and your janitorial service provider agreed upon. This can include specific expectations, cleaning instructions and other items you wish to make legally binding.

Simplify the Office Cleaning Work for Your Marin County Custodial CompanyYour janitorial company should be able to meet and exceed the expectations and cleaning service directions you’ve agreed upon in the contract. However, there are a few things you can do to make their job easier and get better results.

Keep up your end of the contract. You expect your Marin County janitorial company to provide the services they’ve promised, so be sure to hold up your end of the bargain. Provide any janitorial cleaning products promised in the contract, keep to the schedule you’ve agreed upon, and don’t expect the janitorial cleaning company to be unrealistically flexible to frequent and sudden changes. If the terms of your contract change or you need additional or fewer services, give the appropriate amount of warning time before the changes take effect.

Provide easy access to the rooms and office buildings to be cleaned. If the office cleaning takes place after business hours, make sure the janitorial office cleaning company has keys, entrance codes, pass cards or other items that ensure them access to the space to be cleaned. They can waste valuable time and can even miss cleaning appointments if they’re unable to gain entrance to the building. If the business cleaning takes place during office hours, make sure that the janitorial staff has clear access to the rooms in which they need to clean. Keep staff, customers and others out of the rooms to be cleaned, or give them a warning that the janitorial staff will be arriving. This can cut down on the time the office cleaning staff takes to clean the building (and therefore the cost of janitorial services) and may result in cleaner facilities.

Give your commercial cleaning providers a phone number where they can reach the office building owner or company representative. Your commercial cleaning company should always be able to reach a company representative in case of emergency, such as being locked out or a problem with the office building. Give a janitorial firm representative phone numbers and emergency contacts they’ll need if there’s ever a problem after-hours.

Leave written instructions for jobs not on the regular janitorial contract. If you require additional cleaning services (such as refrigerator cleaning, office kitchen cleaning, carpet stain removal, annual deep cleaning services, etc.) or have special requests, place a call to the Marin County janitorial company and leave written instructions. This will eliminate questions and will ensure you and your janitorial service providers are on the same page when it comes to commercial office cleaning services required.

Let the Marin County janitors know in advance if the job or timeframe changes. Meetings run late, special work sessions may be scheduled, office shut-downs over the holidays, added shifts, new employees, changes to office space or office configuration, office remodeling and other factors can create confusion if your janitorial cleaning service hasn’t been warned. Be sure to give an appropriate amount of warning if procedures change. This can even include needing more or fewer janitorial cleaning visits or if your office hours change.

Ask what you can do to ease their job. This may including having storage space available for janitorial supplies, making amendments to the contract if additional work is required, leaving certain rooms unlocked, providing extra keys or different access, etc. Ask your custodial firm what you can do to make their job go faster, and keep the lines of communication open so they feel free to suggest items that can save them time and can save you money or get you better office cleaning services.

Be a Good Customer

Simple Steps You Can Take to Get Good Office Cleaning Services

It’s the responsibility of the Marin County janitorial firm you’ve hired to clean your facility using the best possible workplace cleaning methods and janitorial supplies. But you play a big part in the success of your commercial office cleaning, too.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to be a good customer when hiring and working with local janitorial companies in Marin County:

Be clear and upfront with the janitorial company representatives. Let them know what you want from your office cleaning services and specific ways they can satisfy your expectations.

Remember, a friendly smile goes a long way.

Before you hire a Marin County janitorial company, restate your expectations and goals, and reiterate your understanding of the commercial cleaning agreement. Most problems with local custodial firms occur because of a breakdown in communication. By being clear about your expectations and theirs, you can avoid most conflicts.

Be sure your janitorial service representative has a phone number at which they can reach you at all times, including when your business is closed. Most office cleaning services take place after business hours, and you will want your business cleaning custodians to be able to reach you if there is an emergency, if they can’t get into the building, or if there are any problems in your office.

Return calls promptly when your janitorial contractor contacts you.

Pay for the janitorial work promptly.

Why would you want to be a good customer?

Marin County janitorial service companies, including those that serve the larger cities of San Rafael, Larkspur, Sausalito, Fairfax, Corte Madera, Tiburon, Mill Valley, Ross, San Anselmo and Novato appreciate customers who are straightforward, honest and easy to work with. Your positive interaction may encourage them to provide better customer service and more through office cleaning.

Check The Work

You shouldn’t need to check that the janitorial cleaning service has fulfilled the terms of the contract every time they clean your office space, but you may want to check the company’s work the first time they come to clean your office building.

This will give you a chance to ask questions about, make changes to or provide feedback on the services you’ve received. You may also want to do random checks to ensure the level of service stays consistent.

After the custodial work is completed, the commercial cleaning company you’ve hired should provide you with a written invoice for services rendered.

A complete list of all cleaning supplies used (if you are expected to pay for cleaning supplies. This isn’t necessary if cleaning supplies are included in your contract rates.)

The total cost of the job, broken down into amounts due for cleaning services, extra services requested, labor and supplies.

Any guarantees or warranties provided by the janitorial cleaning crews.

Use the information on the invoice to compare against the work that was actually completed. If items don’t match up or you have questions about what was done, ask your commercial cleaning service representative about the discrepancy.

You may also want to ask the lead janitor to walk through the building with you after the first commercial cleaning service visit so that they can show you what was done and answer any questions you may have.

After they have proven their ability to clean to your standards, you may only need to check the cleaning services on a random basis to ensure quality controls.

Specific details including what janitorial services and products are guaranteed and how the janitorial contractor will deal with warranty claims (refunds, complimentary office cleaning, immediate replacement services, replacement of janitors/custodial staff on your job, termination of the janitorial contract at your request, etc.).

Your responsibility when filing a complaint and how you should report problems with the commercial cleaning services.

The exact terms and limitations of the guarantee.

All exclusions to the cleaning services guarantee must be in writing and presented at the same time as the written warranty.

Top 10 Requests

Top Service Requests Made of Marin County Janitorial Cleaning Companies

Most janitorial companies in Marin County, including those in the larger cities of Mill Valley, Larkspur, Ross, Sausalito, Fairfax, San Rafael, Corte Madera, Tiburon, San Anselmo and Novato, provide the same basic office cleaning and commercial cleaning services. Some of the most popular janitorial cleaning services are listed below along with examples of that type of office cleaning.

Civic Building Cleaning / Government Building Janitorial ServicesCleaning for civic buildings and governmental buildings in Marin County is a specialized form of janitorial services provided by some local cleaning companies. These services often include office cleaning, bathroom cleaning, public lobby cleaning, courthouse janitorial services, hallway refinishing, wall scrubbing and graffiti removal.

Marin County School Cleaning Services / Educational Building CleaningSchool custodial services and other educational building janitorial service companies provide cleaning and sanitizing for preschools, K-12 schools and colleges and universities in and around Marin County.

Green Cleaning / Green Janitorial ServicesEco-friendly janitorial services are popular throughout Marin County. They often include the use of green cleaning products, non-toxic cleaning solutions, cloth rags or reusable cleaning supplies rather than paper towels and disposable cleaning products, and biodegradable janitorial products. Some green janitorial services provide unscented cleaning products that are safe for individuals with chemical sensitivities, allergies and for children.

Glossary Of Terms

Glossary of Terms for Local Janitorial Services and Commercial Cleaning Companies

The terms below are some frequently used by local janitorial firms. Familiarizing yourself with the terms and their meanings can ease communication between you and your office cleaning company.

biodegradable janitorial supplies
Biodegradable cleaning supplies are solid and liquid cleansers and cleaning products that break down over time. These include organic cleaning agents. Biodegradable can refer to detergents, cleansers and paper products. Many green janitorial companies use biodegradable products.

black marking
Black marks left floors and walls; caused by black rubber shoe soles. Black marks can usually be removed by mopping, but deep marks caused by hard-soled shoes may require buffing and rewaxing.

Also known as: black shoe mark removal

buffable surface
A buffable floor surface is one that is safe to buff with a floor buffer. This produces a sheen or gloss. Most buffable floor surfaces require stripping, buffing and waxing once or twice a year; more frequently for high-traffic areas.

Also known as: floor buffing, buffable floor, floor waxing

buildup
When many layers of dirt, grime, dust, wax, floor finish, cleaning agents or deposits collect on a surface, it is called buildup. This can often leave surfaces such as floors, sinks, cracks and corners looking dirty and dingy. Janitorial services usually have the tools and skill to easily remove layers of buildup.

Also known as: build-up, dirt build up, hard water build up

business janitorial services
Business janitorial services are those that clean small businesses. This often includes general janitorial services that take place during off-hours (such as evenings and weekends) and daytime janitorial services.

Also known as: small business custodial services, commercial janitorial cleaning, business cleaning services

carnauba wax
Carnauba wax is the hard wax obtained from the leaves of the Carnauba palm tree. This wax is has a glossy, durable finish and is easy to buff. There are different formulations of carnauba wax, and only certain formulations are used in janitorial cleaning applications.

Also known as: carnuba wax, floor wax, floor waxing services

chemical resistance
A surface’s chemical resistance is its ability to withstand exposure to chemicals without being damaged.

damp mopping
Damp mopping is a practical building maintenance method in which a janitor uses a wrung-out mop dampened with water or cleaning solution to clean floors that are slightly dirty. Damp mopping is less time-consuming than regular mopping services and is often used in bathrooms and other high traffic areas during the work day to keep public facilities clean and fresh.

Also known as: damp-mopping, light mopping

day porter services
Cleaning services for stores and large office buildings that take place during business hours and keep the buildings clean and functional for patrons are known as dayporter services or day porter services. Typical day porter services include spill clean-up, sweeping, light vacuuming, window washing, fingerprint removal, mopping, bathroom cleaning, paper product replacement, soap refilling, trash removal, high-traffic area monitoring, lobby maintenance, kitchen and cafeteria cleaning and exterior building maintenance.

dry buffing
Janitors dry buff flooring using a floor machine and polishing pad or floor polishing brush to restore floor finishes to their glossy appearance. This is in contrast to buffing with waxes, detergents and floor buffing chemicals.

Also known as: dry buffing, floor buffing, dry floor buffing

dry stripping
When dry stripping flooring, janitorial cleaning companies remove old floor finishes with a floor machine, floor stripping pad, and spray-on floor stripping solution. After the floor stripping process is complete, new floor wax or floor polishes are applied to the floor to protect the surface and restore the shiny appearance.

Also known as: floor stripping, wax stripping, floor restripping

dust mopping
Dust mopping is a daily maintenance method in which local janitors use dry mops, dust mops or specially-treated mop heads to remove dust and light debris from floors. This is usually done between sweeping and mopping and before floor waxing to remove any fine particles. Dust mopping is also used by day porters to clean during the day and keep offices and shopping centers looking clean.

Also known as: dry mopping, floor dusting, light mopping

floor polishing
Floor polishing is the application of a temporary floor coating that enhances the appearance of flooring and protects the flooring underneath. Floor polishing is often done in hallways, classrooms and business lobbies.

Also known as: floor finish, floor wax

floor sealer
Floor sealing is done by applying a temporary or permanent coating to a floor. This is usually done before the floor polish is applied because floor sealer fills in cracks, gaps and pits in the flooring to create a flat surface which can be waxed and polished. Using a floor sealer often means fewer layers of floor finishing and floor wax are needed because the products won’t absorb into the flooring. Floor sealers also help the final flooring coats of wax and floor varnish to adhere to the flooring underneath for longer lasting results.

government building janitorial services
Cleaning for civic buildings and governmental buildings is a specialized form of janitorial services provided by some local cleaning companies. These services often include office cleaning, bathroom cleaning, public lobby cleaning, courthouse janitorial services, hallway refinishing, wall scrubbing and graffiti removal.

Also known as: civic building cleaning services

green cleaning janitorial services
Eco-friendly janitorial services are popular with local business owners. They often include the use of green cleaning products, non-toxic cleaning solutions, cloth rags or reusable cleaning supplies rather than paper towels and disposable cleaning products, and biodegradable janitorial products. Some green janitorial services provide unscented cleaning products that are safe for individuals with chemical sensitivities, allergies and for children.

janitorial equipment
Janitorial equipment provided by local commercial cleaning companies usually includes vacuums, mops, brooms, dusting cloths, janitorial carts, trash cans and recycling receptacles. This is often different than janitorial supplies, which tend to be smaller supplies rather than actual janitorial equipment.

Also known as: janitorial cleaning equipment, janitorial supplies

janitorial services
Janitorial services are any professional cleaning services offered to businesses, commercial buildings and civic or government buildings. Janitorial services often include facilities monitoring, minor building repairs, coordinating with contractors and other maintenance professionals, and garbage and waste disposal.

Also known as: medical building cleaning, medical building custodial services

mop and shine floor treatment
Mop and shine maintenance services use special mops made to clean and shine flooring finishes. This may be done in between floor waxing treatments.

Also known as: mop and shine floor cleaning

MSDS
MSDS forms are Material Safety Data Sheets, a standardized form containing all necessary information for the use, storage, and handling of chemical compounds and janitorial cleaning solutions. You may be required by law to have MSDS forms for all chemicals and cleaning products in your facility, even if they are provided by your janitorial company.

Also known as: Material Safety Data Sheet

no wax flooring
Flooring materials that usually have clear organic wear layers (usually made of urethane over vinyl floor backing) are known as no-wax flooring. These products are usually textured and designed for minimum maintenance and can save on janitorial costs associated with floor stripping and floor waxing services.

OSHA
OSHA, or Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is the United States Federal Government regulatory agency that is concerned with workplace safety. OSHA is tasked with making sure individuals have safe and healthy working conditions through workplace inspections and enforcement programs.

pH
pH measures the degree of acidity or alkalinity. A pH of 1 shows extreme acidity, while a pH of 14 is highly alkaline. The pH scale runs from less than 1.0 to 14, and neutrality is centered at pH 7.0.

Also known as: pH scale, chemical pH

school cleaning
School custodial services and other educational building janitorial service companies provide cleaning and sanitizing for preschools, K-12 schools and colleges and universities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions for Local Janitorial Cleaning Companies

Q: Why choose Diamond Certified janitorial companies instead of uncertified custodial services?
A: Diamond Certified helps you choose a janitorial service company with confidence by offering a list of top-rated local companies who have passed the country’s most in-depth rating process. Only custodian companies rated Highest in Quality earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Most companies can’t pass the ratings. American Ratings Corporation also monitors every Diamond Certified company with ongoing research and ratings. And your purchase is backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee. So you’ll feel confident choosing a Diamond Certified janitor in your area.

Q: Why hire a janitorial service company?
A: Some companies choose to divide cleaning duties among employees or hire in-house janitorial staff. However, this can add a burden to employees who are already busy with other work. This can mean the office cleaning isn’t done correctly or frequently enough, leaving offices dirty and unwelcoming. It can also mean damage to the facilities if the employees don’t have the skill and knowledge to use janitorial supplies correctly.

Many companies choose to hire outside janitorial firms to handle their office cleaning and business janitorial needs. Most janitorial companies provide flexible schedules and fair fees for the amount and type of janitorial cleaning required.

Q: What types of buildings do janitorial firms clean?
A: Local janitorial firms offer the following custodial services:

Q: Is janitorial cleaning different than house cleaning?
A: Yes. While some facets are the same—vacuuming, sweeping, trash removal, bathroom cleaning, dusting and plant watering, for example—most house cleaning companies don’t provide business cleaning and most janitorial companies don’t provide house cleaning. Commercial cleaning services use different janitorial supplies, and often are tasked with cleaning projects that aren’t needed in homes, such as floor stripping and waxing, dayporter services, high-traffic area cleaning and boardroom cleaning.

In addition, much janitorial work is done during the evenings and weekends when businesses are closed to the public. Housekeepers may not be able to provide the type and timing of services required for many professional businesses.

Q: Will I have to sign a long-term contract with the janitorial company I choose?
A: This depends on the commercial cleaning company you choose. Most janitorial companies have some type of contract term, which may be monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly or yearly. Good janitorial companies provide clear contracts that protect your interests and theirs. As with any service company, you should have the option to try out the services before you sign a long-term contract, and there should be specific verbiage in the contract you sign that details how you can get out of the contract without large penalties if there is a problem with the services or the janitorial staff. Never sign a long-term contract with a commercial cleaning company you’re not comfortable with.

Q: How much do janitorial cleaning services cost?
A: The cost of your janitorial cleaning services depends on what commercial cleaning you need and the frequency you require it. Labor is the largest expense in janitorial services, so keep in mind that the cheapest commercial cleaning services may not be the best. That’s because some janitorial services hire unskilled cleaning staff rather than professional custodians. This may mean the work will take longer, be unreliable, or that you may face high turnover rates in cleaning staff or damaged facilities if the staff aren’t knowledgeable about the cleaning products and janitorial equipment they’re using.

The contract you sign with your local janitorial service should clearly outline the cost of the service, including any extra fees for emergency janitorial cleaning or janitorial supplies.

Q: What do I need to supply?
A: Some janitorial services provide all cleaning supplies, janitorial equipment, soap, trash can liners and paper products. Others ask that you provide some or all of the janitorial supplies needed to clean your facilities. Some will provide certain supplies, but request that you provide certain cleaning solutions or items that you prefer, such as green cleaning solutions or microfiber towels instead of paper towels. So talk with the cleaning services you’re considering and factor the items you need to supply into the cost of their service. You should also ask whether or not you’ll be expected to provide storage space for paper products, cleaning solutions.

Q: What are green janitorial services and why should I consider them?
A: Green janitorial services are those that provide eco-friendly custodial services. This is often accomplished through lower water usage, environmentally friendly cleaning products, recycled paper products, unscented cleansers and non-toxic janitorial supplies. Green janitorial equipment is also an important component of environmentally safe commercial cleaning because tools including HEPA-filters, microfiber cloths and mops, and two-chamber mop buckets are designed to prevent dirt from contaminating surfaces and reduce the amount of chemicals required for cleaning. Green janitorial cleaning companies are often preferred by office personnel who have allergies, asthma, sensitivities to chemicals, or in locations such as daycare centers and schools.

Q: Should I hire a janitorial firm that performs background checks on their employees?
A: This is an important factor for many companies when hiring a good janitorial service, especially in high-tech, medical offices, schools or other buildings where the safety of individuals, property and intellectual property are at stake. Keep in mind that most business owners don’t see the janitorial staff, because most commercial cleaning is done at night or on weekends. So it’s important to hire a trustworthy janitorial service. Many people like the added security that comes with knowing the backgrounds of those providing their commercial cleaning services.

Q: What are day porter services?
A: Day porter services are often provided to shopping malls, apartment complexes, large business parks and other areas that require janitorial cleaning services throughout the business day. Typical day porter services include spill clean-up, sweeping, light vacuuming, window washing, fingerprint removal, mopping, bathroom cleaning, paper product replacement, soap refilling, trash removal, high-traffic area monitoring, lobby maintenance, kitchen and cafeteria cleaning and exterior building maintenance.

Q: Can janitorial companies clean areas with lead paint?
A: This depends on the janitorial company and the area in question. If the lead paint is flaking, chipping or is otherwise coming free from the surface, you should have a certified lead paint removal specialist in your area remove the paint and clean the area to reduce the risk to you and others. Lead paint is known to cause cancer, and by law, lead paint removal must be done by a certified professional. If the areas you need to have cleaned are known to contain lead paint but the paint is not chipping or disturbed, talk honestly with your commercial cleaning company owner. He or she may not want to clean the area, or may be very comfortable providing janitorial services. In either case, caution must be taken not to crack, chip or damage the paint to avoid exposure to potentially hazardous material.

Q: How should janitorial companies deal with asbestos?
A: Some janitorial companies will not deal with asbestos and will refer you to an asbestos contractor. Others will clean those areas. However, asbestos is known to cause cancer and other illness, so you must legally disclose the presence of asbestos to all individuals working in an area where they may be exposed. Janitorial companies who are licensed to clean up hazardous materials and others who work in potentially hazardous areas should have the proper equipment to prevent the spread of asbestos fibers.